Ballin': The 76ers Couldn't Stop Brandon Bass, Now Trail Boston 3-2

Oklahoma City 106, LA Lakers 90: OKC’s Big 3 of Westbrook, Durant and Harden totaled 70 points, and the Thunder advanced to face the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. It’s probably knee-jerk, but Westbrook’s circus flip in the 3rd quarter might be The Moment of the playoffs so far. That’s two straight trips to the WCF for the Thunder, and two straight 2nd round exits for the Lakers. Kobe was heroic with 42 points, but he had zero assists. Andrew Bynum looked out of it early and finished with just 10 points and four rebounds in 34 ineffective minutes. Kobe didn’t hammer him in the postgame, though, like he did Gasol after game four. If this was Gasol’s final game as a Laker, it wasn’t a bad performance: 14 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks.

Since the Thunder/Spurs series doesn’t start until Sunday, no rush to make any guesses on the series. We’ll save it for later in the week. For now, Kobe on the future (fast-forward to 2:30 for a nice Pistons analogy):

After the game, as thousands of fans were walking to their cars, eight people were shot in downtown Oklahoma City near the arena. One was listed in critical condition this morning, and the rest were stable, according to the Oklahoman. Police said, “one person suffered blunt trauma, and that person was a pregnant woman.” Two arrests were made.

Boston 101, Philadelphia 85: The 76ers played a nearly flawless 1st half, but it all fell apart in the 3rd quarter, when they were outscored by Brandon Bass, 18-16. Rondo was Rondo – 13 points, 14 assists – and Boston made more fouls shots (26) than Philly attempted (16). The 76ers had turnover issues during the pivotal 3rd quarter, and permitted a 14-2 run that gave Boston control it never relinquished. So do the Celtics (up 3-2) have a better chance against the Heat or Pacers? One could probably argue Boston might give the Bosh-less Heat fits, but wouldn’t be Indiana.

It means he cares more than everyone else. He was heroic in yelling at his teammates after his misses as well.

http://twitter.com/ButtersBC ButtersBC

Of all the times to joyfully dog Kobe during his career, last night was not one of them…I’m sure he would have had some assists if someone else could hit a shot

vajayjay redick

It means he cares more than everyone else.

So we agree, passing is for pussies.

http://www.twitter.com/AnthonyLimaFAN cursedcleveland.com

How about Kobe with 4 dunks last night? Not one of James Hardins’ best defensive efforts.

jthussler

but Westbrook’s circus flip in the 3rd quarter might be The Moment of the playoffs so far

Really? Not really even sure what “The Moment” means, but wouldn’t either of Durant’s game winners rank above this?

http://www.twitter.com/AnthonyLimaFAN cursedcleveland.com

No video of Kobe’s baseline dunk?

MP III

It means he cares more than everyone else. He was heroic in yelling at his teammates after his misses as well.

well i guess it beats quitting or being non existent.

scripty

Kobe practices what he preaches. You cant go dogging Lebron at the ASG for passing the big shot and then go do the same.

http://twitter.com/Cleetsauce cleet

Rondo was Rondo – 13 points, 14 assists

Hodor

Der Kaiser

Since the Thunder/Spurs series doesn’t start until Sunday, no rush to make any guesses on the series.

Damn. That’s a long ass break.

http://twitter.com/BrawnyTom Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom

Oh look, another one of Kobe’s lakers elimination game where it was not close in the 4th. An annual tradition.

Scouser

So SvG to the Lakers now?

Scalia

Kobe attempted 34 shots in the 4th quarters of this series. Only 2 of those attempts were inside of 5 feet. That is insane.

http://www.twitter.com/AnthonyLimaFAN cursedcleveland.com

Kobe attempted 34 shots in the 4th quarters of this series. Only 2 of those attempts were inside of 5 feet. That is insane.

One of them last night. It’s not surprising really. Lakers have no other perimeter threats at all (which is why I said last year they needed to get rid of one of their bigs b/c their so-called “advantage” was a clear weakness to me…couldn’t guard anyone and neither are dominant rebounders). So Kobe had to shoulder the perimeter load at 33 with all the minutes he’s logged, with the Thunder throwing Sefalosha, Hardin and then capping things off with Durant in fourth quarters…who Kobe can’t shoot over and is just as quick at this stage of his career, then it all makes clear sense why he would struggle late in games).

http://www.twitter.com/AnthonyLimaFAN cursedcleveland.com

I said this last night, but Lakers need to get rid of of Gasol – get two solid role players in exchange for his 19 million dollar contract (one wing, one power forward, pray that Bynum finally understands being a professional, and hope that Sessions comes back with more of a transition type team…b/c if he picks up his player option, they need to run. He’s horrendous in the half court on both ends. If he declines his option, I don’t know what options at the point they can get for their cap number.

Some Random Old Dude

Lakers have no other perimeter threats at all (which is why I said last year they needed to get rid of one of their bigs b/c their so-called “advantage” was a clear weakness to me…couldn’t guard anyone and neither are dominant rebounders).

Maybe it’s time to trade Pau to…Memphis???

https://twitter.com/#!/CuriousGeorger molemaninthemorning

If he declines his option, I don’t know what options at the point they can get for their cap number.

Dim Sum

http://twitter.com/NotNDub NDub

Kobe hate is strong in here today. Ridiculous.

Outside of Bryant, nobody on that team had the balls or desire for the moment last night.

Bynum couldn’t stay out of foul trouble (although No. 3 was laughable) and Gasol was better than the previous game, but he is what he is. Time to send him on his way.

Ron Artest might become a serial killer after his playing career. That is a dangerously insane human being.

Some Random Old Dude

Also, to gg – glad to see you’re back up & “in the green”. Stay well, ma’am.

Babar 2.0

How much trade value does Pau have left with $19M for 2 more years?

CarlosQuintanaReturns

Love the multiple paragraphs and clips for the Thunder/Lakers and then the half-hearted, stick-it-at-the-end post about the Celtics win. Bitter?

http://twitter.com/NotNDub NDub

Also, it was pushing midnight and I was somehow still awake during Westbrook’s And 1, yet I jumped off my damn couch. That was cool.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a player more terrified of an opponent as Sessions was of Westbrook. He got punked this series.